Alarm clock protector



Feb. 15, 1955 G. M. DIXON 2,701,947

ALARM @Loox PROTECTOR Filed Janf 29, 1954 @g1-fi 90 K IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent O ALARM CLOCK PROTECTOR Gaines M. Dixon, Ward, Ark. Application January 29, 1954, Serial No. 407,091

i z Claims. (c1. ss-ss) This invention relates to improvements in clock enclosures, and more particularly to a novel and improved protector for alarm clocks.

An important object of the invention is to provide an eflicient and practical device of the character indicated above which protects an alarm clock from harmful vibrations and shock, against damage and deterioration from moisture, dust, and the like, so that the clock will run more accurately, last longer, and require less cleaning and adjustment.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated above which completely encloses and seals an alarm clock from the atmosphere while the alarm mechanism is not in use, and which involves sound transmitting means relative to which the clock can be positioned, which provide for transmitting the alarm sound produced by the clock to the exterior of the device while still affording maximum protection to the clock, the said device being simple and rugged in construction, easily used, and being capable of being made in an attractive and serviceable form at relatively low cost.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 3;

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevation showing a reversed position of the base;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary end elevation of the housing; and,

Figure 6 is a reduced perspective view of the base.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the number 9 generally designates a conventional form of hand-wind alarm clock having a base 10 having a at bottom 11, supporting a clock case 12 having a front face 13 and conventional winding and setting means, generally designated 14 projecting from its back 15. While the present invention primarily concerns a spring-driven, hand-wind alarm clock, it will be understood that the invention can be adapted to the production also of electric alarm clocks.

Shown protectively enclosing and supporting the alarm clock 9, is a protector, generally designated 16, which consists of a base 17, and a housing or cover 18.

The base 17 is here shown as of a suitable oblong shape, involving end edges 18, 18, a back longitudinal edge 19, and a front longitudinal edge 20. The base 17 is made of shock and vibration absorbing and moisture and dust resistant material, preferably soft or sponge rubber, and is relatively thick, and designed to rest at upon a supporting surface.

The base 17 has a flat top which consists of a rear portion or area 21 somewhat wider than the base 10 of the 2,701,947 Patented Feb. 15, 1955 lCC clock 9, and a narrower forward portion or area 22. The base is longer than the length of the clock case 12. The rear portion 21 of the top of the base 17 is unmutilated, but the front portion 22 thereof is provided with a plurality of sound conveying or transmitting channels or grooves 23, which open through the front longitudinal edge 20. The channels 23 are here shown as being three in number, relatively widely spaced from each other, and as being V-shaped in cross section or contour. However, other arrangements of sound converging channels are contemplated by the invention. The base 17 has a llat, unmutilated bottom 24.

When the alarm (not shown) of the clock 9 is not set the clock 9 is placed rearwardly of the base front portion 22 so that its base 10 rests upon the rear portion 21, instead of resting upon the forward portion 21 over the channels 23, where the clock base is placed when the clock alarm is set. Obviously, in this full line position in Figure 2, the sound produced by the clock alarm passes out through the channels 23, from the interior of the housing 18 which rests upon the base 17 and encloses the clock 9.

The housing or cover 18, which is partially or wholly transparent, is made of glass, plastic material, or other suitable material, involves a preferably domed or rounded top wall 25, rounded end walls 26, 26, a at rear wall 27, and a ilat front wall 28. The front wall 28 is recessively transparent to reveal the clock face 13. The cross section of the housing 18 is preferably such as to fairly closely but spacedly conform to the clock case 12 at its ends, but wide enough to permit the shift in position on the base 17 of the clock hereinbefore described. The housing 18 preferably has a beaded or enlarged cross section lower edge 29 providing a fairly wide bearing upon the top of the base 17 inwardly of the edges of the base 17. The housing 18 is easily lifted from the base 17 for winding and setting of the clock 9 and restored to position on the base, and this operation is enhanced by the provision of ridges or corrugations 30, 30 on the upper part of the end walls 26, 26 of the housing 18.

When the clock 9 is to be used without reference to its alarm function, and maximum protection of the clock is desired, as in damp weather, or the clock is to be stored, the base 17 is reversed, as shown in Figure 4, so that the clock base 10 and the housing 18 rest upon the flat bottom 24 of the base 17 so that the housing 18 is thereby completely sealed from the outside atmosphere. The operation or ticking of the clock 9 is thereby rendered substantially completely inaudible.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a cushion base having a top and a peripheral edge, sound conveying channel means provided on said top and opening through said edge, a clock having a base resting upon the top of the base in the region of said channel means, and a housing enclosing the clock and having a lower edge resting upon said base top around the clock.

2. In combination, a cushion base having a top and a peripheral edge, sound conveying channel means provided on said top and opening through said edge, a clock having a base resting upon the top of the base in the region of said channel means, and a housing enclosing the clock and having a lower edge resting upon said base top around the clock, said channel means being restricted to a portion of the base top, another portion of the base top being flat and unmutilated, and the clock base being movable to rest upon said other portion of the base top from a position resting upon the rst mentioned portion and over said channel means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 159,160 Davies Jan. 26, 1875 1,363,311 Chryzanowski Dec. 28, 1920 1,907,282 Waldheim May 2, 1933 

